00. How to Choose the Best Business Acumen Simulation

Choosing the Best Business Acumen Simulation is our comprehensive 18-part guide to evaluating, selecting, and achieving meaningful results with business simulations. This introduction sets the stage—outlining the qualities, considerations, and tools that separate effective simulations from superficial ones, and showing L&D leaders how to make confident, high-impact choices that deliver measurable business value.

The Right Simulation Starts With Knowing What Drives Effective, Lasting Business Learning.  

Why Use Business Simulations

If you’re investing in business acumen training, the right simulation can deliver lasting business insight. The wrong one can be a waste of time, money, and credibility.
People learn by doing—and even more with practice. A business simulation gives them both: a safe place to test ideas, experience outcomes, and refine decisions. This helps participants internalize how the business works, builds confidence, and makes learning stick.
Simulations also let learners wrestle with complexity, link cause and effect, and try again—so the learning shows up later in meetings, budgets, and strategy sessions. Business acumen can’t be memorized. It has to be experienced.

What This Series Covers

This series is your guide to choosing the best business acumen simulation for your people, your culture, and your goals. Across 12 core posts—plus bonus chapters on AI, ROI, and next steps—you’ll explore the design elements that matter most. Each chapter highlights one design pitfall to avoid and one principle to look for.

• Choose simulations that engage people through action—not just information
• Spot features that support big-picture thinking, financial fluency, and decision-making
• Recognize design traps that look impressive but hinder real learning
• Evaluate tradeoffs in scope, realism, scale, and AI integration

Whether you’re in L&D, HR, or the C-suite, this series will help you choose a simulation that delivers more than a good workshop. It delivers lasting business acumen.

How to Use the “Avoid / Look For” Quick Summary

At the end of each post you’ll find a two-line quick reference. The AVOID line names the most common design trap for that topic; the LOOK FOR line captures the principle that leads to real learning and better decisions. If you’re short on time, scan the LOOK FOR first, then compare it with your current or candidate simulation.

Passive or Automated Learning Because… it doesn’t build durable business thinking.	Truly Experiential Learning Because… people learn faster and retain more when they act, see results, and iterate.

Each chapter is short, specific, and designed to support smart decision-making._‍‍

Start Where It Matters Most

If your goal is to build business acumen that leads to smarter decisions, better conversations, and measurable outcomes, this series is for you.